Tag: career coach

When you choose to take your career in a new direction, it is very important to think about the role you play in this personally. It is so easy for people to get carried away thinking about the career path they are going to take, or what they are going to do to help their business evolve. But, the important thing to remember is the fact that, more often than not, you are the one who determines the way the business is moving.

In fact, you must never overlook yourself as the most crucial component in your career change. The best thing you can do is to put yourself front and center, and make sure are at the head of your career advancement. This is really important and can do a lot to improve the success and prospects you might have to deal with in the future. These are some of the techniques you can use to help put yourself at the front of your new career direction.

Improve Your Management Skills

Improve and increase your management skills so that you can get better at dealing with people and running a business. This is why leadership training is so important because it will make you wholly aware of what you need to do to boost your management skills. Think about the best way of improving things moving forward, as well as what you can do that will make you a little more dedicated to improving the way you manage and run a business.

Increase Your Knowledge

It is also really important that you look at how can increase your knowledge and skill set in the business world. There are a lot of things that have to play a role in this, and getting educated or taking some courses so you can learn about new areas of the business. If you can increase your knowledge and abilities, you will be able to do more in a business sense, and this is going to go a long way toward helping you improve and boost the business.

Make Time for Yourself

It is actually really important that you make time for yourself as well. There is a lot you can do when it comes to improving the way you manage and run your company, but one of the best things to keep in mind is the fact that you have to have time to relax. Finding time for fun is so important and a wonderful way of ensuring that you get that ever elusive work-life balance.

Never Be Afraid of Your Dreams

Never be afraid of your dreams – to have them, to follow them, to believe in them. Dreams and ambitions are important, and they are an essential part of what makes you a great entrepreneur. So, make sure you have a clear dream and always make decisions that will help you to work toward having that dream and being the best you can possibly be.

The bottom line is that you need to make sure you are as dedicated as possible because this can make a big difference. There are things that you have to consider when you want to think about taking your career forward and making yourself the focal point is one of the most effective.

Whether you love, hate or just accept your job – what does it represent?

Since work consumes such a large part of our lives it should serve a purpose.

Finding the perfect job isn’t going to make you “happy” for long. That’s not saying you can’t stay in one profession for a while and enjoy it, but chances are on bad days your mind wanders to other options.

A career is never meant to define you.

When casually asked, “what do you do?” it results in three reactions: proud, ashamed or blah.

The better question to ask yourself is: what are you chasing?

For me it’s lifestyle. As a father and entrepreneur I want my work to provide the opportunity to control how I spend my time. Sure, I’d like to make more money (who doesn’t), but if the tradeoff is I’m rich, but can never see my family it’s not worth it.

Consider your life stage. Don’t default simply to age.

There are people in their 20’s married with kids and others in their 40’s single.

Values don’t change much over time, but priorities do. Added responsibility like being a parent will do that to you.

Feeling stressed isn’t fun, but tension also promotes growth. Changes whether expected or unexpected will challenge you. Take time to relax, but too much of it can hurt you.

When it comes to evaluating where you are in your career, remember to stop comparing yourself to others and look at it in “chunks.” Each experience prepares you for the next so no matter where you are take what you learned in the past and utilize it to propel you into the future.

Chasing is healthy in moderation.

Ambition leads to drive and motivation.

But what’s most important is to define your career path based on your standards alone.

Those who are focused are trying to win the race, not consumed with beating others.

I’ve always believed LinkedIn and other social media platforms are about making a virtual connection in hopes of connecting with people you would never meet normally in person. That’s how Rachel & I met. Since we write about similar topics and have mutual friends, we got on the phone and chatted. After talking with her I was impressed with her takeaways and business acumen so I decided to interview her so that you, my readers might be inspired.

1) Tell us briefly how you successfully transitioned from counseling to a business/career coach.

Well initially I started out as a general life coach. I worked with people of all ages, from 17 to 80! My real passion started to come out as I taught twenty somethings how to find their purpose and “adult” effectively. During my first year in business I started getting approached by local businesses to consult on their behalf with program developments, social media marketing, and employee satisfaction. At around the year mark of my business is when I decided to rebrand my business to focus more on business and career coaching.

2) What advice would you give someone who is unhappy in their career?

I would probably ask them to explore what is causing the unhappiness to figure out if its something that could change with some inner work or if the person is in the wrong career all together. For example, someone can be really unhappy because they aren’t used to a certain type of structured work environment or having a boss, but love the work they are doing. In that situation the person should probably work with a coach or counselor to figure out what changes they can make to create more autonomy for themselves in the workplace. However, if someone actually dislikes the work they are doing, then I would have them write out the characteristics of their dream career and start working on an entirely new career plan based on whats missing for them and their intrinsic and current skill set.

3) Your alter ego, The Confused Millennial, has gained a lot of traction as of late. To what do you attribute this growing following?

I think it’s really relatable for people. I constantly get emails and comments from people saying how much they can relate or love the blog. I think most of us millennials are multi-passionate and the idea of narrowing our focus to one thing can feel pretty claustrophobic. The blog is a place to read and watch other millennials journeys, plus get actionable advice based on personal experiences. I think we all crave community and thats what The Confused Millennial is really doing.

4) I’ve noticed a big part of your brand is your complete transparency. Was that intentional or just you being you?

I’ve always been the type of person that what you see is what you get. I have a real hard time with RBF and hiding my emotions. When I moved my business on-line I made the decision to be “more polished” as a business/career coach since that’s what I thought I needed to do in order to be “successful”… but a month after the launch of rachelritlop.com I felt like I was a total fraud. I realized how much fluff I had consumed on the internet and I felt taken advantage of and just wanted to do something different than what all the “big coaches” were doing with their perfectly polished personas, and be true to me… which led to the creation of The Confused Millennial.

5) Recently you launched an Instagram E-Course. Tell my readers more about this great resource!

Yeah! It’s been great! It decided the last week of March to grow my Instagram following and in just three months I saw an increase in engagement from 0% to 8% and from less than 300 followers to about 6,000! I decided to put all the information I learned and tips into a course! Basically it takes you through the basics of Instagram, how to optimize your Instagram for engagement and conversations, how to take Instagram worthy photos with your iPhone, how to grow an engaged following and so much more! The course is available for sale here!

Anyone can be a career coach. There’s no certification for it. In fact, most career coaches barely make any money doing it. Here’s why:

Prospecting clients is like identifying new car buyers. You can’t really convince someone they need it, you just have to be visible when people are looking for it. Career coaches can’t talk you into something you don’t want to do. They can just lay out their process and instill the confidence they can deliver your desired result. That’s it.

The irony is the people who need it most are usually broke or unemployed. The service shouldn’t be cheap (if it is I would question the credibility). Clients who benefit from it the most are usually older or further along in their career. If you’re hiring a coach out of desperation, you’re better off hiring a temp agency. Career coaching is a personal and professional investment. It’s about teaching you the skills to find a job on your own, not do it for you. If any coach promises you a job after they work with you, they’re lying (unless they’re going to hire you themselves).

On the business side coaching individuals is not scalable. You’ll never have too many clients on your plate unless you’re connecting with companies who hire you as a transitional coach (aka helping clients as part of a severance package). The money isn’t in individuals, it’s in corporate. That’s why if you’re not charging a decent amount, you’re wasting your time.

Career coaches who are reading this probably hate me.

Prospective clients reading this probably knew this already.

Here’s the caveat: if you call yourself a career coach, stop. People are skeptical.

If you’re thinking about hiring a career coach do it based on two criteria: fit and confidence. If you two “click” consider working with them. Lastly, if you have the confidence after talking to your coach he/she can get you to where you want to be, pay them.

The reality is people are changing jobs almost every year.

Is hiring a career coach a good idea? Depends what your expectations are.

But if you’re thinking about calling yourself a career coach or are one, you better figure out another way to make money.

There are no shortcuts, but instead of running the rat race, embrace the game…but play by new rules.

Just like a healthy lifestyle requires exercise and nutrition, there’s no magic potion to improving your career.

The way job boards are created, it’s as if your odds winning the lottery might actually be better. Unfortunately applying online is part of the process, but one of the most passive tactics you can participate in.

Most digital applications have built-in filters that sift out specific keywords, lack of experience or required skill sets. It’s kind of like talking to a robot on customer support instead of an actual human. Very frustrating.

But since applying for jobs isn’t something that’s going away soon, what can you do to combat it? Here’s 3 proactive ways to increase your chances of getting hired:

1) Network. Use the internet and social media to find contacts, but once you do reach out to schedule a phone call or better yet, a meeting over coffee. Technology has widened the playing field, so you need to stand out by leaving an impression. The #1 reason people get hired is because of relationship. Know someone and now all of a sudden you’re on their radar.

2) Contact Recruiters via LinkedIn. One of the worst parts of applying to jobs is not knowing if your resume ever makes it to the destination. On LinkedIn, not only do companies have to pay to post a job, but they also have to list whom posted it. My advice is: apply to the job, then connect with the recruiter. Chances are they will accept your invitation to connect, then send them a note you applied and why you’re unique.

3) Be Creative. Record a video. Reach out on Twitter. Ask for an informational interview. This may sound too general, but since this is a “game” who says you have to play by the rules? Everyone applies for jobs online. Everyone attaches their resume. Everyone sends a cover letter. Don’t be like everyone else (unless you like where you are now). You may not be after a sales position, but landing a new job is all about selling yourself. A good question to ask is: “Would you hire yourself?”

Most companies are built like a fortress. If you try to enter through the front gate you’ll be denied. Instead the “back door” strategies mentioned above are much more effective.

Truth is, much like the cliche “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” it may not be your job that’s actually frustrating you.

The reason culture is king and position is queen is because the former rules over the latter.

Let’s say you land your dream job, but the culture is so toxic you end up quitting?

On the other hand, step into a company culture where you feel valued and working your way up doesn’t seem so bad anymore.

As a career coach, here are the implications: don’t just apply for positions, apply to companies you want to work for. If you get into the right cultural fit, it’s fairly easy to move up as an internal candidate.

That means as a job seeker (passive or active) you should be targeting companies you want to work for as much as positions you qualify for. The corporate world is evolving and what forward-thinking companies realize is: if you take care of your employees, they will in-turn take care of your customers.

In this day and age you and I have a plethora of choices.

A.D.D. isn’t a disorder, it’s the norm.

That means as workers, you have options.

Purpose and passion have been replaced by lifestyle as the driver…and culture supports that.

What you consider today as your dream job will most likely change in the next few years. It will happen for a number of reasons: experiences, life stages, interests, etc. I’ll discuss the real reason later.

Clients ask me, “What if the perfect job is out there, but I don’t know it exists?”

Good question. My response: you don’t know, that’s why you need to keep looking and applying.

Maybe not the answer you want to hear, but if your dream job doesn’t exist yet, create it.

Think about it. Interviewing for a job is essentially selling yourself. Creating a job is selling your idea (basically entrepreneurship).

Easier said than done, but the average tenure at your current job is less than 2 years. That’s not too far off from the average tenure of your dream career either.

We change jobs like we flip through the channels on TV. I tell my clients, “I can help you find the one career that best suits you, but expect this process to start over a few years from now.”

My job as a career coach isn’t really to help you figure out what to do next, it’s to help you figure out yourself (so you can do the process over in the future).

To loyalists this might sound depressing, but it’s just a sign of the times. Just like you and I will have to maintain a side hustle just to survive, your lifestyle will dictate your decisions, not your dreams.

For example, when you’re in your early 20’s you’re willing to be a slave to your career. Fast forward to your mid 30’s with a family and kids and you start saying “no” more than “yes” when it comes to work. During that time span what you considered as your dream job changes at least twice!

When it comes to your dream job the better question to ask is: why?

Why do I want this dream job? What does it represent? What can it provide?

I used to think I wanted to be an entrepreneur (and I still do), but what I really wanted: flexibility and control.

That can be found as a business owner, but it can also be found working for a company. My priorities shifted when I got married, then again when I had kids. That’s why your dream job will evolve too.

It is said that we are afraid of change, yet we do it all the time. We change our clothes, we change our interests and we change our jobs.

It’s inspiring to pursue your passions, but it’s not practical. I’m not trying to sound like your parent(s), but a voice of reason.

The more important question you should be asking yourself is: “How can I monetize my dream?”

Shark Tank, Pitch Fests and Startups have us obsessed with chasing what we love, yet the problem is the pot of the gold at the end of the rainbow is usually empty.

I’m as guilty of this as you. I think of a great idea, my mind (and heart) starts racing. I think of all the possibilities, but rarely about the obstacles. I chase the future, but am not always rooted in the present.

Only in the past 10 years have most professionals started saying: I want to do something I love. That’s awesome, but not realistic. If I can teach you anything, it’s to study how to make money from your idea from the beginning. There’s enough information on: TV shows, You Tube Videos & social media to get you started (no, you don’t need to go to school for a degree…experience beats education every day).

You learn by doing. Make mistakes. Ask experts. It’s smarter to launch your idea as a side project initially and if it takes off, make it your main thing. If not, lesson learned and at least you’re not depressed and unemployed. I’ve seen too many people chase potential only to be living at their parents house into their 30’s waiting for lightning to strike.

If I could go back to college, I’d give myself the following pieces of advice:

– Intern to learn a sales model then try to better it.

– Sell something, a product or service because it doesn’t matter how great your idea is until someone else sees the value in it and buys it

– Network like your life depends on it. The world is about who you know, not what you know. Remember that.

So my message to you for 2016 isn’t to settle for a corporate gig, it’s to find work that can support the lifestyle you desire. Success is defined by you and you only. Chase your dreams, but work relentlessly at the process.

You may sell products or services during the course of your career, but what everyone sells is: themselves. After selling services for a while and now transitioning to a physical product (a bit easier), one lesson I’ve learned is: in order to be successful in sales, you have to be confident with what you’re selling.

As a relational person, I prefer to connect vs. sell. If you listen close enough in a conversation, you can identify a pain point. If you can relate to it, trust is gained much more rapidly.

A practical example is on a job interview. Your resume may qualify you for an interview, but what you say and how you say it will validate if you have a chance moving forward. Most people get nervous before interviews and that’s normal, but what you don’t want to do is be unprepared or panic. Think about your body language, tone and message you are communicating. Are you being authentic or trying to be someone you’re not?

As a career coach, the advice I give is: understand your strengths, know how you add value to the organization and be yourself. It’s difficult to know exactly what an employer is really looking for, so instead of worrying what they’ll think of your answers, focus on where you fit in.

Leaders are self-aware about their weaknesses and strengths. Not everyone is meant to lead others, but you should be able to lead yourself. One goal I set with every networking opportunity is to try and get the other person to like me. You’d be surprised how much people brag and show off just to look good, but the person on the other end leaves disgusted.

Life is a game of who you know. The less you worry about being the smartest, the better. In fact, too much knowledge can come off as intimidating or arrogant.

Selling yourself comes down to: interests, passions and values. Connect on one of those points and your chances increase dramatically.

I’ve been coaching for the past 8 years as an entrepreneur, but much longer in basketball and life. It’s a skill set you can learn, but similar to leadership there are some who have an innate ability to thrive in it and a “higher ceiling” in terms of execution. As a customer there are more reasons than not to avoid coaching, which makes it hard to “sell.” Here are just a handful:

“What is coaching?”

“How does it work?”

“How much is it?”

“What results will I get?”

“HR and management already provides that at work.”

The list goes on and on, so instead of trying to convince you why coaching works, I prefer to share my experience of hiring a coach. I worked with a coach for 18 months. We met bi-monthly and talked about professional and personal issues. I loved how he would ask me questions that were based on my agenda, set goals to accomplish before the next session and go at my pace. It felt much more like hiring a personal trainer to strengthen my mind than anything close to therapy or psychology. I liked it so much I picked my coach’s brain on how to become one and after going back to school for a M.A. in Organizational Leadership, here I am.

Now the toughest part is selling it. Coaching is a process, it provides solutions to the “how” questions. Problem is customers are focused on the results. Confidence and career advice is what my clients get from working with me. Another issue is paying for individual sessions. Going back to my personal trainer analogy, you wouldn’t hire a trainer and expect results overnight, so you can’t do the same with a coach. Sessions don’t work, programs do. P90X and Insanity sell fitness, but they’re packaged as a program. That’s exactly how you need to buy coaching. For example, my Career Bootcamp is 30 days of coaching which includes: (4) 60 minute sessions + unlimited weekday email support. If you take full advantage of this offer, you can have up to 26 “touch points” in a month’s time. Now that’s value! You get a defined outcome in specific time frame. Much easier to buy.

It’s not that coaching doesn’t work, it does. But the challenge is how it’s “packaged.” These days anyone can call themselves a coach, I get that. So if you’re in the market to hire one, contact a coach and ask them questions. Your decision to hire one should be based on chemistry (do you “fit” with them?) and confidence (can they get me to where I want to be?). Coaching is an investment in personal & professional development. Athletes hire coaches to increase performance, so should you!